Friends, fans of Kellylee Evans chip in after Juno-winning jazz singer suffers concussion

Friends and fans of Ottawajazz singerKellylee Evans have raised more than$23,000 in only a few days for the Juno-winning artist, bedridden after recentlysuffering a concussion.

The concussion is just the latest medical setback for Evans, who was struck by lightning in 2013 as she washed dishes in her kitchen during a storm.

• Ottawa jazz singer Kellylee Evans struck by lightning

"Basically, when she gets up to do things, she feels nauseous," said close friend Amanda Martinez, who haslaunched acrowdfundingcampaign to help Evans with expenses while she heals. "The doctor just said to her the best thing she can do is stay put in her bed."

In a Christmas Eve Facebook post, Evans wrote that, about a month ago, she struck her head after fainting as she got out of ahot bath.

The latest brain injury means she is on "indefinite bed rest," Evans wrote.

Won Juno in 2011

Evans, 40, won the Juno Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year in 2011 forNina, an album inspired by the life of legendary singer Nina Simone.

Evans had been using a wheelchair and a cane after she was struck by lightning in June 2013, but two weeks later was able to return to the stage for her scheduled set at the Ottawa Jazz Festival.

Martinez said Saturday that Evans a single mother of three began performinga bit too soon from that injury to support her family, and as a resulther body wasn't "able to heal the way it needed to."

"So now, with a concussion, her doctor said, if you go on tour now, you're just putting yourself at risk to make things worse," said Martinez.

Kellylee Evans performs Eminem's"Lose Yourself" (warning: bad language)

According to the online fundraiser, donations will go to cover "groceries, shelter, daily and medical expenses" for Evans and her family.

Evans recentlyreleased a newalbum, Come On,in France. But herhealth woes mean she's had to cancel a plannedJanuarytour of that country, Martinez said.

"She's in a really critical situation in that she can't afford to put her health at risk and make things worseby going out and singing," said Martinez. "Which she loves to do."